Proximate, total phenolic, carotenoid, antioxidant activity, color, and FTIR analysis of red ginger powders (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum) through the evaporation-crystallization process

Abstract

Red ginger is a plant that is rich in antioxidants and is easily available in Indonesia. So far, red ginger has been used with various extraction methods by previous researchers, but the application of this process has not been able to be used by independent economic MSMEs. This research took place using evaporation-crystallization equipment as the main tool, accompanied by temperature variations (80 and 90°C) and granulated sugar as a crystallization agent (60 and 100%). The quality of the powdered red ginger product analyzed in this study showed good stability values for the fresh red ginger raw material before processing. The average value of the proximate content of red ginger products is 7.668; 12.116; 5.225; 0.422-1.708; 73.960% for moisture, ash, fat, protein, and carbohydrate content, respectively; and total glucose of 63.768 ppm. Meanwhile, the results of the phenolic and carotenoid content provide a significant reduction of up to 50%. The average content is 42.459 mg gallic acid/g; and 5.480 g respectively (including color - also a decrease in L, a, and b values) compared to the red ginger pulp raw material. The opposite value occurred in the DPPH antioxidant activity of red ginger pulp, the content of which was 2-3 times higher than fresh red ginger. These findings not only have an impact on the development of more health-beneficial food and beverage products but also encourage further understanding of the potential of bioactive compounds in ginger to support human well-being.